Are we in the age of the autodidact?

Your first question may be what is and autodidact?

A person who has learned a subject without the benefit of a teacher or formal education; a self-taught person.

Access to information is greater than in any time in the history of mankind with the advent of the internet.  The ability to search online material affords the opportunity to learn a basic concept, develop a skill, or construct a profile of knowledge that previously was metered through formal educational institutions at significant cost.

Autodidact Characteristics / Profile

• Self-Directedness

• Inquisitive

• Restless

• Passionate

Enjoy self-directedness, in fact, innate? Though it doesn’t speak directly of autodidacts, the psychology of motivation and interest suggests that self-directed learners are not only born, but can be made. The research suggests it’s likely that the autodidacts among us do make wrong turns and poor choices but then keep going. Keen interest in subjects carry the autodidact past the failures and frustrations that deter less ardent learners. In fact many people find the autodidact personality a little left of center and may find them a little strange.

How do most use vast resource of on-line information?

Yes the possibilities are there for us all to explore information and learning not previously accessible. The reality is that the vast majority of individuals squander this opportunity to answer daily some of the most mundane and rudimentary information.

"Sapere aude" (Latin phrase of the enlightenment meaning "dare to know")

In this age of information how are you using resources to to your advantage? It has become common practice to Google topics to become more informed, however many times this is an attempt to gain quick quotable facts vs. knowledge?

Lets explore how an autodidact thinks:

So let's say I want to understand a concept like producing moonshine. Yes I am using an extreme example for effect. I choose this example not that I make moonshine myself but it demonstrates the potential of finding and accessing information previously in the possession of a small group of individuals. I could have used some rare mathematical proofs or just about any niche area however I think this speaks to a wider audience.

Step one, most people would Google moonshine,  and the first reference explored would be Wikipedia, as it provides excellent reference to historical knowledge .  However it does not provide a depth of information to solving the deeper question how to produce a product or develop a skill. The autodidact is not satisfied with facts alone they strive for knowledge.

Moonshine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, homebrew, and white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits that are generally produced illicitly.[1][2] Moonshine is typically made with corn mash as the main ingredient.[1] Liquor-control laws in the United States that prohibit moonshining, once consisting of a total ban under the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, now center primarily on evasion of revenue taxation on spiritous and/or intoxicating liquors, and are enforced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the United States Department of the Treasury; such enforcers of these laws are known by the often derisive nickname of "revenooers".

The autodidact takes the next step to understand the mechanism of how things work and are interested in the possibility of producing a result:

Most times this can be found on YouTube or a more specific how-to forum listing: see example:

That is not my kitchen however it demonstrates access to information to build specific knowledge that can be used to develop skills. It's interesting that in many cases gained information is not directly acted upon more often the autodidact is driven from curiosity and a inner passion to learn.

While most knowledge can be obtained through the internet it requires the characteristics of the autodidact to realize its potential and opportunity. Please share examples of knowledge, skills and expertise you have been able to develop through online resources. As always if you enjoy please like and comment.

Kevin